Question 1

What NFL disability benefits can former players get?

Accepted Answer

The NFL Player Disability & Neurocognitive Benefit Plan offers three main monthly benefits: Line of Duty (LOD) disability, Total & Permanent (T&P) disability and the Neurocognitive Disability Benefit. Each has its own rules, amounts and deadlines, and some players qualify for more than one over time.

Question 2

Who qualifies for NFL disability benefits?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the benefit. Line of Duty is for a lasting football injury. Total & Permanent is for players who can no longer work. Neurocognitive is for memory, focus, processing or mood problems. Your credited seasons, release date and pension status also matter. A free review is the fastest way to know where you stand.

Question 3

What is a credited season?

Accepted Answer

A credited season is a season the NFL plan counts toward your benefits, generally based on time on a team’s active roster or injured reserve. Your number of credited seasons affects deadlines and, in some cases, how much you’re paid.

Question 4

Can I collect more than one NFL disability benefit?

Accepted Answer

Some players qualify for more than one program, but most can’t be collected at the same time. We look at every program on your review and help you pursue the one that fits best right now.

Question 5

How much could I receive each month?

Accepted Answer

Line of Duty pays at least $4,000 a month. Total & Permanent pays from $5,000 up to $22,084 a month depending on your category. Neurocognitive pays $4,500 a month for mild impairment and $6,500 for moderate. Your exact amount is set by the plan after review.

Question 6

Do deadlines really matter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Line of Duty, Neurocognitive and some Total & Permanent claims have filing windows tied to your release date and credited seasons. Missing a deadline can close a benefit for good. If you’re unsure, check now.

Question 7

Is the NFL plan the same as the NFL Players Association?

Accepted Answer

No. The disability plan is administered separately from the NFLPA. Legacy Pro Sports is independent and not affiliated with the NFL, the NFLPA or the plan.

Question 8

What is NFL Line of Duty disability?

Accepted Answer

A monthly benefit for former players with a substantial, permanent disablement that arose out of NFL football activities, like a knee, shoulder, back or neck injury you played through.

Question 9

How much does Line of Duty pay?

Accepted Answer

The greater of $4,000 a month or the sum of your Disability Credits for your credited seasons, for up to 90 months.

Question 10

Can I work while receiving Line of Duty?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Line of Duty is based on your football injury, not on whether you can hold a job.

Question 11

What is the Line of Duty deadline?

Accepted Answer

With four or fewer credited seasons, your application must be received within 48 months of the date you’re no longer an Active Player. With five or more, your deadline is the number of years equal to your credited seasons. Six credited seasons gives you six years.

Question 12

Can I get Line of Duty if I’m receiving my NFL pension?

Accepted Answer

No. Players receiving Pension Plan benefits aren’t eligible for Line of Duty. If you’re close to starting your pension, talk to us first.

Question 13

What other requirements apply to Line of Duty?

Accepted Answer

You can’t have another pending Disability Plan application, can’t have had a Line of Duty application denied in the last 12 months, and you must attend exams with the plan’s neutral physicians.

Question 14

When does Line of Duty start paying?

Accepted Answer

If approved, your effective date is the first day of the month two months before the NFL Player Benefits Office received your completed application. Your first payment is retroactive to that date.

Question 15

What is NFL Total & Permanent disability?

Accepted Answer

A monthly benefit for former players who can no longer work for pay because of injury or illness, where the disability is expected to be permanent. It can come from football injuries, other conditions, or both.

Question 16

How much does Total & Permanent pay?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your category. Monthly minimums are $22,084 (Active Football), $13,750 (Active Nonfootball), $11,250 (Inactive A) and $5,000 (Inactive B). Your benefit may be higher based on your credited seasons.

Question 17

How is my T&P category decided?

Accepted Answer

Mainly by what caused your disability (football or not) and when it started. Proving an earlier start date can move you into a higher category, which is why records matter so much.

Question 18

I have fewer than 3 credited seasons. Can I get T&P?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but you must apply within 18 months of your release. After that, T&P is generally closed to players with fewer than 3 credited seasons.

Question 19

How is T&P different from Line of Duty?

Accepted Answer

Line of Duty is for a lasting football injury, and you can keep working. T&P is for players who can’t work. Some players qualify for one, then the other, as their health changes.

Question 20

Can I appeal if I was placed in a lower category?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A lower category or amount can be appealed just like a denial.

Question 21

What is the NFL Neurocognitive Disability Benefit?

Accepted Answer

A monthly benefit for former players with mild or moderate neurocognitive impairment: problems with memory, attention, processing speed or mood.

Question 22

How much does the Neurocognitive benefit pay?

Accepted Answer

$4,500 a month for mild impairment and $6,500 a month for moderate impairment. Your level is set after the plan’s testing.

Question 23

What is the Neurocognitive deadline?

Accepted Answer

You have 7 years from the date you were released from your team to apply.

Question 24

Do I need credited seasons to qualify?

Accepted Answer

No. You don’t need a minimum number of credited seasons to apply for the Neurocognitive benefit.

Question 25

Can I get NFL benefits for CTE?

Accepted Answer

CTE can only be confirmed after death. But the symptoms CTE NFL players live with, like memory loss, mood changes and trouble focusing, can support a Neurocognitive claim while you’re living.

Question 26

What does the neuropsychological testing involve?

Accepted Answer

The plan sends you to its neutral physicians for tests on memory, attention, processing and mood. We explain what to expect and make sure your records are in front of them.

Question 27

What signs should I watch for?

Accepted Answer

Forgetting conversations or appointments, losing your train of thought, taking longer to make decisions, a short fuse, anxiety or depression. Family members often notice first.

Question 28

Can I appeal a denied NFL disability claim?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can request review of a denied Line of Duty, Total & Permanent or Neurocognitive claim. Many claims are approved on appeal once the missing evidence is in the file.

Question 29

How long do I have to appeal?

Accepted Answer

Usually about 180 days from the date of the decision. The exact deadline is in your denial letter. Don’t wait until the end: building new evidence takes time.

Question 30

Why do NFL disability claims get denied?

Accepted Answer

Most denials come down to missing records, exams that didn’t capture your condition, the wrong category, or deadline and paperwork problems.

Question 31

My Line of Duty claim was denied. Can I just file again?

Accepted Answer

Generally not right away. A new Line of Duty application usually can’t be filed within 12 months of a denial, which is why the appeal matters.

Question 32

Should I appeal on my own?

Accepted Answer

You can, but an appeal is often your last full chance to add evidence. Working with a team that does this every day helps make sure nothing is left out.

Question 33

Is the first review free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your first 30-minute benefits review is free, with no obligation.

Question 34

What should I have ready for my call?

Accepted Answer

Your teams, seasons and release date, a list of doctors you’ve seen, any letters from the plan, and a plain description of what you deal with day to day. Don’t have it all? We’ll track down the rest.

Question 35

Can you help if I already applied on my own?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Whether your claim is pending, denied or approved at a lower amount, we review where it stands and take it from there.

Question 36

Who runs Legacy Pro Sports?

Accepted Answer

Legacy Pro Sports was founded by Brandon Siler, a former NFL linebacker who went through the disability process himself. Our team represents over 5,000 former athletes.

Question 37

Can my family be involved?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Spouses and family members are often the first to notice changes, and they’re welcome on every call.

Question 38

What disability benefit is available to former MLB players?

Accepted Answer

MLB Total & Permanent disability. It’s paid through the MLB Pension Plan to players who can no longer work because of injury or illness.

Question 39

How much does MLB Total & Permanent disability pay?

Accepted Answer

$6,000 a month until age 62, plus $600 a month for each qualified dependent. Your amount also depends on your status when the disability began, which we confirm on your review.

Question 40

What does “totally and permanently disabled” mean?

Accepted Answer

A physical or mental illness or injury that keeps you from working in any job for substantial pay, expected to last at least five years.

Question 41

Is Legacy Pro Sports part of MLB or the MLBPA?

Accepted Answer

No. Legacy Pro Sports is independent and not affiliated with MLB, the MLBPA or the plan.

Question 42

How much service do I need?

Accepted Answer

Former players need at least 4 years of credited Major League service.

Question 43

What counts as credited service?

Accepted Answer

Time on a Major League active roster during the regular season. A full season earns one year. In a partial season, every 43 days earns a quarter year. Injured list time counts too, and some other time can count, which we check for.

Question 44

How do I calculate my credited service?

Accepted Answer

Add one year for each full season, then a quarter year for every 43 days in partial seasons. Our MLB credited service calculator does the math for you, and we confirm it against your official record.

Question 45

Can I qualify if I’ve started my MLB pension?

Accepted Answer

Generally no. Former players need to apply before their pension starts. If you’re close to starting it, talk to us first.

Question 46

Does it matter how long ago I left baseball?

Accepted Answer

There’s no filing window tied to your release date. But timing still matters for back pay.

Question 47

Does a Social Security disability approval help?

Accepted Answer

It can. The plan may rely on a Social Security disability finding when it decides your claim. Let us know if you’ve been approved for SSDI.

Question 48

When should I apply?

Accepted Answer

As soon as you can. If you apply within six months of becoming disabled, benefits are paid back to the date your disability began.

Question 49

How long does the plan take to decide?

Accepted Answer

The Benefit Plan Office generally has 45 days to decide a disability application, and that can be extended in special circumstances.

Question 50

How long do payments last?

Accepted Answer

$6,000 a month is paid until age 62, as long as you remain disabled.

Question 51

Who counts as a qualified dependent?

Accepted Answer

The plan defines who qualifies. We confirm your dependents on your review so your $600-a-month additions are counted correctly.

Question 52

Can I appeal a denied MLB disability claim?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You or an authorized representative can appeal to the Pension Committee.

Question 53

How long do I have to appeal?

Accepted Answer

180 days from the denial. That window is for disability claims. Other plan decisions have shorter deadlines, so don’t assume they’re the same.

Question 54

Who reviews my appeal?

Accepted Answer

People who weren’t part of the original decision and give it no deference. If a medical judgment is involved, a different medical professional is consulted.

Question 55

How long does an appeal take?

Accepted Answer

The Pension Committee meets quarterly, and appeals are generally decided at its next meeting.

Question 56

What if my appeal is denied?

Accepted Answer

You may be able to take your claim to federal court. A strong appeal record matters, because it’s usually what the court reviews.

Question 57

Why do MLB disability claims get denied?

Accepted Answer

Most denials come down to a credited service count under 4 years, missing medical records, or not enough evidence that you can’t work in any job for substantial pay.

Question 58

Is the first review free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your first MLB review is free, with no obligation.

Question 59

What should I have ready for my call?

Accepted Answer

Your clubs and seasons in the Majors, a list of doctors you’ve seen, your pension status, any letters from the plan, and whether you’ve been approved for SSDI.

Question 60

Can you help if I already applied on my own?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Whether your claim is pending or denied, we review where it stands and take it from there.

Question 61

Can my family be involved?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Family members are welcome on every call.

NFL & MLB Disability Benefits FAQ

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